Low-volume ice making machine

An ice machine comprising:

• (a) a multi-level evaporator having at least two levels,
• wherein each level includes a plurality of individual ice-forming cells, each ice-forming cell having a closed perimeter and an opening at a lower end,
• wherein the ice-forming cells are vertically aligned to form vertical cell stacks, and
• wherein a thermal insulator is positioned between the ice-forming cells in the vertical cell stacks;
• (b) a water distributor coupled to the evaporator and configured to deliver water at or near an upper end of each of the plurality of individual ice-forming cells in an uppermost level;
• and
• (c) a water recirculation system including a sump, a water pump positioned within the sump, and a water recirculation line coupled to the water pump and to the water distributor,
• wherein the water distributor is configured to deliver water to the multi-level evaporator such that the water flows downward from the uppermost level in each cell stack and out of the multi-level evaporator through a lowermost level and into the sump.

An ice machine comprising:

• (a) evaporator means having a plurality of individual ice-forming cells, each cell having a closed perimeter and an opening at a lower end;
• (b) water distributor means coupled to the evaporator means for delivering water at or near an upper end of each of the plurality of individual ice-forming cells;
• (c) water recirculation means for recirculating water that passes through the ice-forming cells back to the water distributor means;
• (d) water flow sensing means for determining the amount of water passing through the ice forming cells;
• and
• (e) refrigeration means for cooling each of the plurality of ice-forming cells from outside the perimeter, such that individual ice cubes are formed in the ice-forming cells.